1. United States
2. Vt.
3. Letter

Higher education expands opportunities for all Americans and strengthens our society as a whole. The growing student debt crisis in America has reached an unsustainable level, with over 45 million people collectively owing $1.6 trillion. This immense burden stifles economic mobility and undermines the very purpose of higher education - providing a path to the middle class. While President Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in debt for millions of borrowers is a step in the right direction, more comprehensive action is needed to provide true relief and prevent future generations from being crushed by debt. I urge you to support legislative measures to cancel all remaining student debt. This would lift a crushing financial weight off millions of Americans, allowing them to fully participate in the economy by purchasing homes, starting businesses, and investing in their communities. Moreover, it would help address the racial wealth gap, as Black borrowers are disproportionately burdened by student loans due to systemic inequalities. The cost of higher education has skyrocketed, while state funding for public universities has steadily declined, shifting the burden onto students and families. Canceling all student debt would provide a clean slate, after which we must enact reforms to make college truly affordable and accessible without driving people into crippling debt. Such an initiative would unleash economic potential, boost consumer spending, and uphold the promise of higher education as a catalyst for socioeconomic mobility.